Tim Echols

Tim G. Echols is an elected official originally from Clayton County, Georgia, who was elected to the Athens-area seat on the Georgia Public Service Commission as a Republican in 2010.[1] Echols submitted his name as a possible successor to the late Senator Johnny Isakson in an unusual method chosen by sitting Governor Brian Kemp. Kelly Loeffler was selected and Echols endorsed her campaign.[2][3] [4]

Tim Echols
Member of the Georgia Public Service Commission from the 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2011
Governor	Nathan Deal Brian Kemp
Preceded by	Bobby Baker
Personal details
Born	Clayton County, Georgia, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Windy Davis
Education	University of Georgia (BA, MA, MA)

Political career

Echols served on Governor Sonny Perdue's office of Children and Families for 5 years. He was treasurer and spokesperson for U.S. representative Paul Broun.[5] In 2009, Echols was campaign manager and senior policy advisor for Republican gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine, who lost the Republican primary to Nathan Deal.[6] In 2010, Echols won against Democratic candidate Keith Moffett[7] in a race to become the Athens-area public service commissioner, after first defeating fellow Republicans Jeff May and Joey Brush in the primary,[8] and then John Douglas in the primary run-off.[9]

In December 2016, Echols won re-election to another six-year term as a commissioner. His campaign was focused around a promise to keep electric rates low and support renewable energy development. His second term began on January 1, 2017.[10] In September 2019, Echols filed with Governor Brian Kemp's office for consideration to replace Senator Johnny Isakson.[2] Kemp eventually appointed Kelly Loeffler to the open seat.[3]

Political positions

Echols was the architect of the vote on December 21, 2017 to continue expansion of Vogtle Electric Generating Plant.[11]

Echols supports fracking, and has also expressed support for a nuclear power plant located in Georgia,[12] albeit with the caveat that the entire project be privatised.[13]. Additionally, he has expressed opposition to proposed EPA regulations regarding coal usage.[14][15]

During the campaign for office, Echols opposed SB31, a 2008 bill by state lawmakers allowing Georgia Power to collect the finance costs for building a new nuclear power plant from its customers before construction is finished. Additionally, Echols has encouraged the recycling of nuclear waste.[16] Echols has encouraged the completion of the Mixed Oxide Fuel facility at the Savannah River Site near Aiken, SC.[17]

Controversies

In 2011, Echols, used an official Georgia Public Service Commission letterhead to request two tickets to the practice round of the Masters Golf Tournament over 11 months after entries to the ticket lottery were due, which caused accusations that he was using his position for personal gain.[18] Echols claimed that this was due to his desire to spot check limousines and ensure that they were registered in Georgia.[18] Echols eventually conceded that his actions were improper and he should not have requested the tickets.[18]

In early 2014, Echols weighed in on the Georgia Right to Life controversy supporting Dan Becker and GRTL's leadership.[19]

Personal life

Echols is married to Windy Davis Echols. They have 7 children.[20]

References

1. Henry, Ray (November 2, 2010). "GOP's Echols elected to Ga. utility commission". Washington Examiner.
2. Bluestein, Greg (September 20, 2019). "Quest for Kemp's support leads to new phase in Georgia Senate race". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
3. Booker, Brakkton (December 4, 2019). "Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Picks Kelly Loeffler To Fill Senate Seat". NPR. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
4. https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/georgia-senate-echols-backs-loeffler-campaign/vNUFGc74FIXxGutxPJo9lK/
5. http://onlineathens.com/stories/011009/new_375747501.shtml
6. Walter C. Jones. "PSC contest pits political aides against one another".
7. Henry, Ray. "Georgia commissioners: Locals Echols and Hudgens part of Republican clean sweep".
8. Hodgin, Wayne (July 24, 2010). "District 2 commission race heads to runoff". Savannah Morning News.
9. http://onlineathens.com/stories/010411/new_765035733.shtml
10. Daily Energy Insider Reports (2016-12-20). "Georgia Public Service Commission's Echols wins second term". Daily Energy Insider. Retrieved 2016-12-21.
11. Williams, Dave (December 22, 2017). "Regulators Push Plant Vogtle Forward". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
12. Bluey, Rob (February 6, 2012). "Georgia Commissioner Seeks Reforms for Nuclear Waste Management". The Daily Signal.
13. Brown, Noel (March 25, 2011). "Echols: Privatize Nuclear Waste Disposal". Georgia Public Broadcasting.
14. Echols, Tim. "EPA regs will hurt business and consumers" (PDF). Public Service Commission of Georgia.
15. Echols, Tim. "Sweet 16 for natural gas in Georgia". Public Service Commission of Georgia.
16. Echols, Tim (January 2, 2015). "A New Year's resolution on recycling". Atlanta Business Chronicle.
17. Echols, Tim (October 21, 2014). "Viewpoint: Turning old bombs into carbon-free electricity". Atlanta Business Chronicle.
18. Swartz, Kristi E. (August 25, 2011). "State utility commissioner's pursuit of Master's tickets improper, critics say". Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
19. Galloway, Jim (March 26, 2014). "A surprise bid to undercut the clout of Georgia Right to Life". Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
20. "Georgia Public Service Commission". Georgia Public Service Commission.

External links

• Tim Echols website

Political offices
Preceded by Bobby Baker	Member of the Georgia Public Service Commission from the 2nd district 2011–present	Incumbent